True Love Means Liking the Same Food

In honor of this year's Valentine's Day, I want to gush about how much I love Beau and why we work together so well as a couple.

Beau and I collaborated on this together over skype, which is basically one of our bullet points. He was ready to go to sleep, but I insisted on a quick brainstorming session first.

• We are children at heart, but adults when it comes to important stuff. We enjoy being silly together.
• Bacon.
• Beau loves to drive, and I love sitting in the passenger's seat, live-tweeting our road trips.
• Biscuits and gravy.
• We both like Star Trek, cuddles, and gummy bears. Bonus points for naked cuddling while eating gummy bears and watching Star Trek.
• Wings and beer.
• Beau writes guest posts for me, and he gives me ideas for my blog. Like answering my questions to this post. Plus he's totes cool with appearing in a documentary in which we discuss not having sex.
• Steak.
• We interrupt our list of reasons of why we work to over-analyze the scientific aspects of having a double-blind taste test of steak, pan vs. grill, including a debate on how to measure the seasoning properly so it's a fair test. This is completely normal.
• Sometimes Beau surprises me with flowers, but he also understands why I like to buy myself flowers.
• I have great boobs and a great butt. Beau likes my boobs and butt.
• We're both very practical and good at keeping a budget, but our budget includes room for splurges and spontaneity. 
• Pizza.
• Beau doesn't mind when I tell him the same childhood story for the tenth time.
• Basically, we love each other, and we respect each other, and we have similar goals, and we like books, and we're nerdy, and we have a lot of fun doing lots of things or doing nothing.

 

On Love, Valentine's Day, and Self-Care

So much relationship advice centers around the other person, not you. But as I've written before, a relationship is about two people, not just one. 

I recently defended my devotion to Beau on facebook, in yet another conversation with people who question my desire to keep my last name upon marriage. I pointed out everything I've done for him because I love him and I put him first.

But putting Beau first does not mean prioritizing his wants and needs to the detriment of my well-being. Having a healthy, successful relationship doesn't just include taking care of your significant other, but looking after yourself.

Last night I focused on me. It was a night of love and relaxation, a gift for me, from me. I went to a local spa for a facial. My skin is still glowing, 24 hours later! Then I came home and treated myself to sparkling wine, honeyed goat cheese, and strawberries. I finished reading my book for my online book club and then met with my friends on Google Hangouts to discuss it. After such a glorious night, I was able to fall asleep easily, without any medication, something that's rare these days without Beau in bed next to me.

In fact, based on the conversation I just had with my mom, I'm pretty sure sleep tonight will be Benadryl-induced once again.

Valentine's Day might normally be about romantic love, but that doesn't mean we can't expand the theme. If you don't already have hot Valentine's Day plans, consider indulging in some self-care of the person who has always been there: YOU. And even if you already have a date lined up, or fun plans with your friends, don't forget to spend some love and attention on yourself.

A Tale of Two Nerds in Two Cities

So I kinda want to talk about love and sex and Valentine's Day and all that good stuff. But with this whole "moving to Canada" thing looming over me, I don't know if I'll have the time to write out a beautiful, funny, thought-provoking post of my usual brilliance.

Instead, I'll do a little something different. A picture post!

For all you lonely singles out there, take comfort in knowing this is how some of us in relationships will be spending the holiday.

Trying out my V-Day prezzie from the boyfriend!

I am completely and totally serious when I say that cool little things that let me use my smart phone outside in the cold are WAY better than roses or chocolate. #nerdromance

Watching Glee with my oldest child!

Nothing says love quite like watching the super-special Valentine's Day episode of my FAVORITE SHOW OF ALL TIME with my oldest child. Who else just melts when they watch this video? #aupairlife #Glee

Skype date with the boyfriend... with new lingerie. #longdistancesolutions

Seriously, it's going to be like any other Tuesday night when I get a little worked up watching Glee, and the boyfriend enjoys the benefits via skype. I just happened to buy a new bra & panty set. And before you start judging me and thinking my choice is pretty vanilla, let me remind you that my boobs are probably bigger than yours (or your girlfriend's), and my band size is probably smaller. Finding lingerie stores that carry my size are very difficult (the smiling salesperson at Victoria's Secret this summer hadn't even heard of my size). I look hot in this. And it actually gives me the support I need. Win-win.

I was going to send the boyfriend a handmade card, and an assortment of candy, and a loofah,* but then he spontaneously visited me this weekend. He distracted me from making him a card and buying him candy... But he did take the loofah back home with him! Score!

*His is this ancient, falling apart rag of a loofah. So I bought him a new one. It's just a little thing, but seriously, his old one was soooo torn up.